Akava membership continued to grow

Akava’s affiliates continued to grow in 2014. The
total number of membership amounts to 590,000 which is 3,865 members more than
in the previous year. The growth is largely attributed to the increasing number
of graduates with higher education and the overall changes taking place in
working life, but it can also be explained by the affiliates’ active work among
students.

“I am particularly pleased about the fact that the
number of student members increased by nearly 2,000 up to 111,000. One quarter
of Akava members are under 30 years of age or currently engaged in studies. In
fact, measured by the average age of members, we are the youngest union
confederation in Finland. This is reflected in our activities and also in many
of our objectives initiated by student members”, says Stude Fjäder, President
of Akava.

Akava is the only employee central organisation in
Finland that continues to grow in terms of its membership. Akava’s aim is to
represent all highly educated professionals and managerial staff with a strong
focus on the supervision of their interests.

“Wage-earners are increasingly employed in various
specialist positions. At Akava, we are familiar with the particular aspects,
demands and challenges of working life faced by professionals, specialists,
supervisors and managers. On the other hand, with around 30,000 self-employed
members, we are able to recognise the entrepreneurial challenges in the labour
market as well”, explains Risto Kauppinen, Director of Organisational
Activities at Akava.

Each Akava affiliate has an identity founded on a
specific degree or profession, resulting in a strong feeling of community among
their members. Layoffs and dismissals experienced in recent years have led
people to join and seek security from a trade union, including employment and unemployment
security and possible legal counselling.

Akava affiliates focus on social and policy influencing,
career services and networking.

“Making a difference in society, especially through
educational and employment policies, is for Akava quite as important as the
traditional labour market activities. Without a high competence level and
sustained investments in education and research, we will not be able to create
jobs in the future. At Akava, we are full-time engaged in promoting positive
development in these matters,” says Fjäder.

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